Music

What levels are on offer?

You can take Music at Higher Level or at Standard Level.

How do I decide which to choose?

  • Higher Level is aimed at students wishing to further their music studies at Music Conservatoires or University Music departments.
  • Standard Level is aimed at students who enjoy practical music making and want to broaden their experience in performance and appreciation of music.

What will I need?

  • For Higher Music we would expect you to have at least a B in GCSE music and grade 5 in Associated Board theory.
  • For Standard Level we would expect you to have at least a C in GCSE music.

What will I study?

The Higher Level Course includes:
Musical Perception and Analysis – This includes:
  • Study of a prescribed work.
  • Study of Musical Genres and Styles
  • Musical Investigation.

Solo performance: voice or instrument, one or more recitals
Composition: Three contrasting compositions.

The Standard Level Course includes:
Musical Perception and Analysis - This includes:
  • Study of a prescribed work.
  • Study of Musical Genres and Styles
  • Musical Investigation.

Either – Solo performance with one or more recitals
Or         - Group Performance with two or more public performances
Or      - Composition; Two contrasting compositions

How will I be assessed?

In each case there are two aspects to the assessment.

  • Internal Assessment – For both levels, the performance and composition elements will be assessed internally and externally moderated by the IBO – 50% of total marks.
  • External Assessment – For both levels, the same paper.
This end of course exam is taken in May of the second year
The Listening paper lasts 2hrs 30 and is worth 30%

The Musical Investigation is a media script of between 1200 and 1500 words and is 20% of the marks.